Cross River sets up task force on open defecation

Cross River Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA) has set up a task force to verify and certify the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status of communities in the state.

The Director-General of RUWATSSA, Mr Ita Ikpeme, made this known via a statement in Calabar on Thursday.

Ikpeme said that the task force was established, prior to the validation of the ODF status of the communities by the National ODF Task Force.

He said that the group had been working in communities in Obanliku, Bekwarra, Abi, Boki, Yakurr, Yala, Ikom and Biase Local Government Areas of the state.

Ikpeme said that RUWATSSA was working in partnership with Development Partners United Purpose (DPUP), an international Non-Governmental Organisation, which is also an agency of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council.

“They are also partnering with us in a UK-assisted programme called Community-led Health Improvement through Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria’ (CHISHPIN).

“These activities are to ensure that our people live in a clean and healthy environment through the attainment of ODF status in their communities,” he said.